After the big one, we have another local derby against neighbours Prestwich Heys and the prospect of going into the New Year still at the top of the league.
Victory against Heys would bring our points tally over the Christmas period to seven, but we can be sure they won’t go down without a fight. As we’ve seen again and again, teams come to Gigg Lane determined to give us a tough battle. For Heys, a local derby makes the challenge even greater.
It’s disappointing that we don’t go into the game with the prospect of making it nine points over Christmas. But a convincing victory at high-flying Chadderton last weekend and a good performance against Ramsbottom to come from behind twice to draw, sends us into this final festive fixture in good heart.
The Boxing Day gate of 5,800-plus was a huge encouragement, and shows the world that we mean business. So the call goes out again. Please be there and keep Gigg Lane rocking. Up the Shakers!!!
View Boxing Day’s post match media including interviews with Dave McNabb, Gaz Peet & Cam Fogerty below.
In Opposition – Prestwich Heys
Heys lost 1-0 at Irlam on Boxing Day, but can take heart from their 2-1 home win against Longridge Town last Saturday.
They’re eight points behind second-to-bottom Colne, having scored only 24 goals all season and conceded 61.
In 28 matches, Heys have accrued only 12 points – three wins and three draws. But it’s perhaps significant that two of those three wins have come in recent games, so perhaps some form to draw from heading into this fixture.
On the Day & In the Ground
Our Matchday @ Gigg guide is available to read to find out everything you need to know going on in and around the ground.
We’d like to thank our match sponsor for this game Lisa Bartley and match ball sponsor Keith Young.
Pound For The Ground: Your chance to win with Evans Halshaw: It’s your final chance to win a Ford vehicle for a weekend of your choice, in partnership with Evans Halshaw Bury.
This will be in addition to the first-place cash prize. Terms & Conditions apply.
We would like to thank Evans Halshaw for their offering of this prize.
Starkies Bar
Before kick-off: Starkies will be open at the normal time of 12.30pm for supporters to access from the Manchester Road End entrance before kick-off. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis up to capacity, which will be managed on the door.
Supporters will only be able to gain entry by presenting their online ticket purchased in advance, and no re-entry will be allowed once supporters leave to take their seat ahead of kick-off.
Starkies Pass ticket holders will be permitted access at any time in line with their purchase.
Paul Butler is our guest for this fixture and his Q&A will take place from 1.20pm.
During the game: After kick-off, the bar can be accessed by anyone situated in the Main Stand (via the door linked to the concourse) or in the South Stand (via the front of the Manchester Road End). The bar is open throughout the game, including at half-time.
Post-match: Starkies will be open to all, again up to capacity, with last orders at 7.30pm.
Match Coverage & Live Stream
If you are unable to make it to the action at Gigg Lane, we’ll have all the live coverage across our media platforms.
Live Stream: The game will be broadcast live from Gigg Lane via our streaming service accessed via TicketCo. The cost is £7.29 (inc.VAT & fees).
Season ticket holders can gain access to live streams for FREE as part of their season ticket purchase. Enter your 5-letter reference code from your season ticket receipt in the ‘Promocode’ box and click apply.
Your link to access the game will be provided in your receipt following the transaction.
Live stream tickets are available now from our ticket webpage HERE.
Keep up-to-date with all our video content via the club’s YouTube Channel. Click to subscribe and never miss highlights and match reaction across the season.
Audio Commentary: Roch Valley Radio will be providing commentary for this game. Join the team from the press box at Gigg Lane. Click here ahead of kick-off to listen live. Audio commentary will be provided for every game of the season, so you will never miss a piece of the action.
Social Media: Our team will also bring you in-depth text commentary via the club ‘MatchDay Live‘ Twitter feed, with team news and half time and full time updates available also on Facebook and feel like you are there with our match galleries and imagery available over on Instagram.
Whatever the weather, wherever you are across the globe, we have you covered.
Up the Shakers!
